Helsinki UN Business Seminar

1. UNICEF Supply Division: Innovation Unit
Jessica Tribbe
Innovation Project Consultant
UNICEF Supply Division
FinPro Business Seminar
7 May 2015

2. Innovation Unit Offices
• Innovation Unit at Supply Division in Copenhagen:
works closely with private sector and other partners
on supply and product innovation.
 Innovation Unit in New York: supports UNICEF
programs through integration of technology, design
thinking and partnerships with the private sector and
academia.
 Innovation Centre in Nairobi: identifies and field
tests scalable innovations.
 Innovation Unit in San Francisco: builds partnerships
with the technology sector, and will help scale social
innovation start-ups.
 Innovation Labs around the world

3. Role of Supply Division in Product Development
Supply
Division
Developers/
SuppliersField
 Reach
 Scale  Price
 Quality
 Timeline
 Cost
 Need
 Demand
Development
Implementation

4. Technology Push vs. Market Pull

5. Linear Pull vs. Iterative Push
Phase 0: Explore
Desk research & light
user analysis
Phase 1: Concept
Heavy analysis of
concepts & testing
against users
Phase 2: Field trial
Physical prototype
development and field
trial
Gate 0 Gate 2 Gate 3Gate1
Phase 3: Scale up
Procurement and
closely monitored
implementation

6. How We Drive Product Development
Communicate the need
- User research
- Target product profile (inform potential product development without
prescribing specific solution, communicate need)
- Expression of Interest, Request for Proposals
Active participation in product development & testing
- Funding academic research
- Field trials in UNICEF context
- Convening of partners/advisory committees for feedback
Promote market uptake and scale up
- Advance market commitment (guaranteeing a viable market once
product is developed)
- Subsidies/ cost-sharing for new products
- Communication to Country Offices

7. Communication of Needs
Latrine Slab: Communication to suppliers
on alterations to existing products to
allow for access of children with
disabilities.
Pneumonia Diagnostic Device: Research
conducted in Uganda, needs communicated
to private sector through a TPP

8. Product Development
Real Time E.coli testing: Providing funding for
academic research to determine the possibility
of instantly detecting E.coli bacteria in water
without the need for laboratory analysis.
School Furniture: User research to
understand needs of students, schools, &
and local carpenters.

9. Product Development: Field Trials
Jerry Can for emergencies: Field trial of a
new design with users to obtain feedback on
design and usability.
Latrine Additives: Field trial of existing
product in the UNICEF context.

10. Scale up and Market Uptake
Pneumonia Diagnostic Device:
• Pilot implementations with Government
partners with first generation devices in
the field.
• Partnerships with WHO, Malaria
Consortium and Government partners.
• Identification of funding to subsidize or
share costs with governments to help
with trainings of health workers and
build the market.

11. Innovating to Create Impact
Bringing ideas to the field
Product Innovation is about procurement of fit for purpose and value
for money supplies that have impact on our programmes and
emergencies.